How Hitler Consolidated Power
How did Hitler consolidate power by 1934?
“To consolidate is to strengthen or reinforce one’s position or power.”
Hitler’s first major political gain occurred when he was appointed Chancellor of the Weimar Republic in January 1933. This was the first event which led him to consolidate complete power over Germany by1934. Being in a political position allowed Hitler to become an influence over others, at this point however he did not control many things which he desired to. By 1934 through eliminating his adversaries on the knight of the long knives, passing the enabling law, using the Reichstag fire for persuasion and the death of President Hindenburg Hitler successfully consolidated his power over Germany. The Reichstag fire was the first event which began Hitler’s consolidation of power in 1933. The burning of Reichstag was believed to be started by a Dutch communist. Hitler exploited Hindenburg’s fear of a communist take over and persuaded the president to approve the law “for the protection of the people of the state”. This law allowed Hitler to suspend civil rights which had been the foundation of the Weimar Constitution. This included the restriction of freedom of expression, associations and assembly. For Hitler this meant he could imprison communist leaders, ban the KPD’s campaign and use them as a scapegoat for the Reichstag fire. These actions lead the Nazis party to gain more seats in the Reichstag and gain the people’s vote. The Enabling Act in 1933 allowed Hitler to legally obtain plenary powers and establish his dictatorship. This law meant Hitler could enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag. This eliminated the Reichstag’s political power for four years. Through this time Hitler could co-ordinate aspects of life to fit in with Nazis ideals. I believe this was the most important and the most effective event that led Hitler to consolidate his power. As not only did he abolish the Weimar constitution’s aim but he began his
“To consolidate is to strengthen or reinforce one’s position or power.”
Hitler’s first major political gain occurred when he was appointed Chancellor of the Weimar Republic in January 1933. This was the first event which led him to consolidate complete power over Germany by1934. Being in a political position allowed Hitler to become an influence over others, at this point however he did not control many things which he desired to. By 1934 through eliminating his adversaries on the knight of the long knives, passing the enabling law, using the Reichstag fire for persuasion and the death of President Hindenburg Hitler successfully consolidated his power over Germany. The Reichstag fire was the first event which began Hitler’s consolidation of power in 1933. The burning of Reichstag was believed to be started by a Dutch communist. Hitler exploited Hindenburg’s fear of a communist take over and persuaded the president to approve the law “for the protection of the people of the state”. This law allowed Hitler to suspend civil rights which had been the foundation of the Weimar Constitution. This included the restriction of freedom of expression, associations and assembly. For Hitler this meant he could imprison communist leaders, ban the KPD’s campaign and use them as a scapegoat for the Reichstag fire. These actions lead the Nazis party to gain more seats in the Reichstag and gain the people’s vote. The Enabling Act in 1933 allowed Hitler to legally obtain plenary powers and establish his dictatorship. This law meant Hitler could enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag. This eliminated the Reichstag’s political power for four years. Through this time Hitler could co-ordinate aspects of life to fit in with Nazis ideals. I believe this was the most important and the most effective event that led Hitler to consolidate his power. As not only did he abolish the Weimar constitution’s aim but he began his